Overview & Reviews

Toyota is a Japanese brand whose refined, well-designed vehicles have earned it a great deal of popularity. Toyotas also have a superb record for reliability and durability, which goes a long way toward justifying their typically high purchase prices. For buyers who plan on owning their new vehicles for a long time, the Toyota marque is a very compelling choice.

The automaker's name is a variation of the surname of its founder, Kiichiro Toyoda. After years of research, Toyoda unveiled his first prototype, the A1, in 1935, marking the birth of the Toyota Motor Corporation. The '40s witnessed the launch of additional passenger cars and even a pickup. By the end of the decade, the automaker had produced more than 100,000 vehicles.

Toyota grew bigger in the '50s and expanded its roster with a slew of new small cars. The company also unveiled the utilitarian BJ truck; this vehicle was the precursor to the Land Cruiser. By the end of the decade, Toyota had commenced exports to the U.S. with the establishment of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. The first Toyota to be sold on American shores was the Crown; it held the distinction of being the first Japanese car to be sold Stateside.

The '60s witnessed even more growth for the emerging juggernaut. Toyota introduced the Corolla, an immensely popular model that is still in production today. Vehicles like the home-market Publica, the 2000GT, Hiace and Miniace were also launched. The decade closed with Toyota reporting annual domestic sales of 1 million units; cumulative exports also reached 1 million.

Japanese-market cars like the Carina, Light Ace and Publica Starlet were launched during the 1970s. In the States, the Corolla grew in popularity and the Corona and Mk II models debuted as well. The successful Celica sports coupe was also rolled out and would remain in production for more than 30 years. Toyota's shadow had spread far beyond Japan by this point. The decade's oil crisis had made the manufacturer's compact, fuel-efficient models more popular than ever in the United States. By the time the '70s drew to a close, the automaker had exported more than 10 million vehicles.

Toyota expanded its presence in the U.S. market during the '80s, with the introduction of popular models like the 4Runner SUV and the MR2 sports car. The true high point of these years, though, was the birth of the Toyota Camry sedan. Originally known as the Celica Camry in Japan, the car went on to be a hit of phenomenal proportions, earning kudos as America's best-selling car of the year time and time again.

During the '90s, Toyota rolled out the Avalon full-size sedan and expanded its selection of SUVs with the compact RAV4. By the end of the decade, more than 100 million Toyota vehicles had been produced in Japan. The company also proved itself on the cutting edge of new technology with the rollout of the Prius, the world's first mass-produced hybrid. The car debuted in Japan in 1997; by 2001, the fuel-sipping sedan had made its way to American highways. Despite the presence of a growing number of competitors in its segment, the Prius continues to boast class-leading sales.

Toyota's current lineup is relatively extensive, including minivans, cars, trucks and SUVs. The brand remains extremely popular among savvy consumers who place a high value on quality and dependability.

User Reviews:

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  Rock Solid for 6 yrs - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By m14708 - September 18 - 9:40 am

  Bought brand new and havent regretted it. 105000 miles and just tires & brakes. Car still looks great and build quality is excellent. Would love to but a new car but dont want a note and really no reason to get rid of it. Still has lots of life left.

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  Odyssey to Sienna - 2007 Toyota Sienna
  By Aidan OSullivan - September 18 - 9:33 am

  We just traded our 2005 Honda Odyssey Touring (37,000 miles) for a 2007 XLE Sienna. The Sienna has a wonderful drive: lovely steering, fantastic on Manhattans awful street surfaces, oozes quality, is built well, is fast and has great brakes.

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  Big Dissappointment - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By Mr. Toyota - September 18 - 7:13 am

  I got this truck because of Toyotas reputation for quality and a bit of over excitement. I should have done my homework. There are numerous areas for major improvement with this truck. The thing is just not solid. The bed and especially the tailgate is cheaply manufactured. The thing that annoys me most is that since I got the factory installed trailering package they changed the axle ratio so now I get no where near the EPA estimated miles per gallon, which is dismal anyway.

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  Great Ride But................ - 2015 Toyota Sienna
  By Ernest Armentrout - September 18 - 6:24 am

  I would like to begin with this is a very nice minivan....lets keep that perspective. I did test drive many minivans and smaller SUVs. The Honda Pilot had some features that Toyota could look into (or charge for), and the Honda Odyssey. Almost all reviews gave the Odyssey the thumbs up over the very close second Sienna. However, as with most people looking for the bang for the buck, the Sienna was that "bang"; far more soothing for the wallet. One of the biggest complaints I have (and many more as I read more blogs and posts) about the entire vehicle is the navigation system. Had I known how bad this system was, I would had just had the regular system installed and spent far less money on a double din system and had it installed which would have preformed much more friendly and accurately. On long driving highways the fact that the GPS indication is not as critical for exiting and simple turns. However, do not rely on the GPS image to get you somewhere in a city or crowded neighborhoods or subdivisions. The GPS indication lags, terribly, and despite the POP UP, if you are not already familiar with the area you are driving, you will have to turn around to go back......anyone operating this system will attest to that experience. Also with the technology that will tell the operator that the vehicle is moving and disables the ability to change or find POIs, can not distinguish there is someone located in the passenger seat and allow the passenger to perform what are routine and necessary inputs into the system. After all, the navigation system does not limit how fast you are going for safety purposes when exceeding the speed limit. In fact, this feature may actually cause you to become MORE distracted as you will most likely attempt to get the information from your cell phone. My $100 dollar TOMTOM is far more accessible and accurate than this system, Toyota should be having some serious discussions with the person or group that thought this was a good system. Would like to end on a positive word. I like my Sienna, I am a grandfather, a bowler, a golfer and traveler, and for that reason, I do like this vehicle. Who would of thought after living my entire life, with five kids, after they grown and move away, I would be driving a minivan.......

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  Reliable, smart, Corolla - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By Coryt - September 18 - 6:12 am

  This car gave me peace of mind. I knew I would make any destination. Fuel bills were low and repair costs too

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  Piratical A-to-B car - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By praticalowner - September 18 - 3:33 am

  Understand this review is based 100% on the amount of money I paid for it in comparison to others cars at the time. Havening owned the Toyota Corolla LE Automatic for a little over 6 years now I’m glad I bought it. This car is exactly what you would expect for about the 15.5k or so I got mine brand new. I’m 5’11” barefoot, 220lb and I can make peace with the seating and steering orientation. The only negative thing about it is the fact that’s it’s a little under powered for my tastes, but then again I have a 530 HP(give or take) truck I play in. Also a lot of people say that it makes a lot of road noise. Let me ask you a question, how often have you heard a 2800 lb or so car not make road noise??? I also have a 97 Continental that is just as every bit noisy when you put in on the firm ride setting. And the engine in a 4 banger, this one and about every other I’ve driven does too. The fact on gas milage are this, the thing get about 95% of the rated 34/MPG highway (that’s about 32/MPG) that the EPA says it should. And yes 34/MPG is the correct MPG for this model, the 06 is the one with the 40 or whatever mpg. I know because I saw it on the chemical back in February 05!!! Not to mention the fact if you multiply the 13.2 gallon tank buy 34 you get about 450 miles. I averaged about 390~420 miles to a tank on the highway so that’s all the confirmation I ever needed. I will admit the city mileage took a pretty steep nose dive to around the 25-27/MPG mark. It seemed to fluctuate from 290/tank to 320/tank. Then again the way I’m used to driving my truck that probably has a lot to do with it LOL!!! IT does not get stuck easy with good all terrain tires (trust me I’ve got it stuck doing dumb stuff in it). The paint job is a little iffy on the lower parts of the unibody, but overall it’s very smooth and even with the clear coat. The fold-down seats, don’t fold all the way down per say, but it makes plenty of room for an 8’ Christmas tree or a few 10 foot fly rods. If you really REALLy want to decide for yourself if this is a car worth buying, see if you can work a deal out somehow to drive one around for a weekend. I test drove several cars several times before I chose this one, it was the right price for what I was getting. I did not buy this car because “it was the car for me” I bought it as a practical, reliable to way get to around and not completely bite it at the pump. I mean why do you think I got in in automatic???

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  BEST VALUE FOR THE MONEY - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By D. J. - September 17 - 9:30 pm

  Four prior Camrys preceeded this Avalon. Toyotas reputation for reliability is well founded. The car is smooth, extremely comfortable, reasonably quick and a pleasure to drive. Ive owned two Lexus GS 300s and this car compares very favorably. I looked at the Lexus ES but its smaller, has less power and room and lacks many of the features the Avalon Limited has available.

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  high on my highlander - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Susannah - September 17 - 4:10 pm

  I really love this car. I got the Limited, with the 3rd row optional seating. Its a peach going up I5 on the Grapevine in LA. It handles great, has great rear and side visibility, unlike some other SUVs. I wish the gas mileage was better though...

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  Not as impressed as I thought Id be - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By theyota - September 17 - 4:00 pm

  I love Toyotas. My experience with this one has been not as satisfactory as past. 7000 kms - all 4 hubs fell off. 14000 kms transmission needed replacing. 90 000 A/C compressor done and needs replacing- not under warranty and rare for this to go so early-very expensive part. Want to sell but dont want others to take on these issues if still to come. Toyota customer service was less than satisfactory on helping me with these issues. So surprised due to previous experience with Toyota. :(

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  2008 Land Cruiser - 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By 2008 Land Cruiser - September 17 - 7:43 am

  I was overwhelmed with smoothness and quietness of the vehicle. My family was overjoyed with it. My previous vehicle was 2004 Totoyo Sequoia which was also great, but the Land Cruiser is the better one.